The Judas Goat

A Spenser Novel

By: Robert B. Parker

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

Length: 5 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

Spenser has gone to London -- and not to see the Queen. He's gone to track down a bunch of bombers who've blown away his client's wife and kids. His job is to catch them. Or kill them. His client isn't choosy.

But there are nine killers to one Spenser -- long odds. Hawk helps balance the equation. The rest depends on a wild plan. Spenser will get one of the terrorists to play Judas Goat -- to lead him to others. Trouble is, he hasn't counted on her being very blond, very beautiful and very dangerous.

Crack another case with Spenser.

©1992 Robert B. Parker (P)2009 Random House

Critic Reviews

"Spenser is Boston's answer to James Bond...with a little Sam Spade and Nero Wolfe thrown in...Irreverent, witty, worldly...makes for fast, amusing reading." ( Pittsburgh Press)

Spenser is not Sam Spade.

I have read or listened to all of the Spenser books and this book, although very dated in its language, has always been one of my favorites of the early mysteries. But the books are intended to be light and breezy - an easy read without too much seriousness. Joe Montagne, who narrates the later books, has the exactly right approach to the characters where the light-hearted banter between Spenser, Hawk, Vinnie and others sets the tone.

But Michael Prichard seems to think that Spenser is Sam Spade and narrates the book accordingly. There is almost no humor and he has completely lost the tone of the book. That is too bad since I would like to have bought more of the early Spenser books. Now I am stuck with The Judas Goat and, my personal favorite, A Catskill Eagle, and neither touches the upbeat and sprightly tone of the books themselves. I would willingly buy them again if Joe Montagne were to narrate them.

Good book. Poor narration. And a real disappointment.

THE PERFECT RECIPE...

ONCE AGAIN, I HAVE REVISITED ONE OF ROBERT PARKER'S EARLIER SPENSER NOVELS, AND THIS ONE IS A GEM. THE JUDAS GOAT BRINGS ALL THE ELEMENTS OF A GOOD SPENSER NOVEL TOGETHER IN A PERFECT RECIPE OF ACTION, SUSPENSE, HUMOR, AND HUMAN INSIGHT THAT HAVE MADE SPENSER SUCH A POPULAR CHARACTER FOR SO MANY YEARS. THE PLOT HERE INVOLVES SPENSER TRACKING DOWN TERRORISTS, AND TAKES HIM FROM THE UNITED STATES TO ENGLAND, AND ACROSS EUROPE. HIS LETHAL COMPANION HAWK JOINS UP WITH HIM HALF-WAY THROUGH THE STORY, AND THINGS REALLY TAKE OFF FROM THERE. THE PARTNERING OF SPENSER AND HAWK IS PERFECTLY WRITTEN, A RICH PATOIS OF HUMOROUS BANTERING AND THOUGHTFUL INSIGHT IS REVEALED THROUGH THESE TWO CHARACTERS THAT ARE AT ONCE ALIKE AND YET EXPONENTAILLY DIFFERENT. THEY ARE TWO SIDES TO A VERY DANGEROUS COIN. ROBERT PARKER'S WRITING SHINES IN THE EXPLORATION OF HIS MAIN CHARACTERS; AND HE MANAGES TO DO IT WITHOUT BEING HEAVY, OR WEIGHING THE STORY DOWN IN EXPOSITION. LIKE A GOOD STEW, YOU MAY NOT REALIZE ALL THE INGREDIENTS THAT HAVE GONE INTO MAKING IT, BUT IT TASTES GREAT JUST THE SAME. AND ONCE AGAIN, MICHAEL PRICHARD DOES A STELLAR JOB BRINGING PARKER'S WORDS TO LIFE. HIS PERFORMANCE OF THESE SPENSER NOVELS ARE BY FAR MY FAVORITE.

3 ½ stars. Some parts very good. Some parts ok.

Spenser is hired to find and capture or kill some terrorist bombers. I couldn’t imagine how he would do it. I enjoyed watching him do it. The previous book introduced Hawk. In this book Spenser hires Hawk to help. There were some good scenes with them together. As always, I like this author because of his wit.

The narrator Michael Prichard was very good.

This is book #5 in the Spenser series.

Genre: PI mystery

Love Spenser Series

Each book I listen to gets better and better. The characters are really developing.
Can't wait for the next book in the series. "Looking for Rachel Wallace".

Entertaining

Spenser novels are not great literature, but they can be entertaining. I've always enjoyed narration by Michael Prichard and for me, there is a comfort in hearing his familiar voice.

Good story

Action was swift and decisive. This is my second Parker novel found it to be a good read.

An International Spenser case!

A great story of Spenser and Hawk stopping terrorists before America was drawn into these types of conflicts after 9-11. Robert Parker was ahead of his time he knew one day the United States would have to deal with this way of life to.

Good story, flat, uninspired reading.

I’ve been a fan of Robert B. Parker since his books appeared in print. His Spenser series is a favorite of mine. Judas Goat deserves a MUCH better reader! Why on earth did Audible choose Michael Prichard? When I first read Judas Goat in print, I couldn’t put it down until I finished. This narrator took an exciting novel and made it sound like a lecture. I won’t purchase any more Audible books narrated by M. Prichard.

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Great addition to a fantastic series

This is a good book in the Spencer series. I love Spencer's side kick, Hawk, and he plays a big part in this book. If you have never read a Spencer book, I recommend that you start, but begin with book 1 because the story builds and new characters are added with each book. Pritchard is a good narrator.